Jays vs. Indians ALCS Discussion

[HERPDERP]

NOTES ON AN LCS SCORECARD …

– The Jays plan to make a play long-term for star first baseman/DH Edwin Encarnacion, and will give give both him and longtime right field star Jose Bautista a qualifying offer (assuming the new CBA still has a provision for qualifying offers). The Jays offered Encarnacion a concept of two years plus two option years this spring (with the idea of maybe getting to three years), but Encarnacion’s big year is expected to spur the Jays to be willing to do something more competitive – though no one expects them to blow him away and no one will be surprised if he leaves for greener pastures.

 

There is a belief around baseball he’ll get four years (at least) as a free agent, and that’s something the Jays might consider, though they’d prefer three. Someone familiar with their thinking said they’d like him to be a “bridge” to their kids down below.

 

Encarnacion was believed, at least this spring, willing to consider a “hometown discount,” though it’s not known if that’s still the case.

 

As for Bautista, while there’s been speculation the team might not even extend the qualifying offer, insiders say there’s no way the Mark Shapiro-Ross Atkins regime would pass up the opportunity to win an extra draft choice, and their belief is that Bautista – who sought $150 million-plus this spring – wouldn’t take the one-year offer. Some say Bautista makes extra money with his long-time Toronto ties, so it may not be such a terrible idea for him to take the one-year qualifying offer, which is expected to be for about $17 million, but he’d likely figure there’s a multiyear deal out there for him somewhere.

 

– Just to clarify one point in the Alex Anthopoulos-Shapiro column from Monday crediting them for building a superior team before they parted ways, the one-year offer to keep Anthopoulos came earlier, and Shapiro offered him two years plus two option years (the same on term as the Encarnacion deal, though not dollars) before team owner Edward Rogers stepped in after Anthopoulos didn’t immediately take it with Shapiro’s blessing. That’s when Rogers offered a firm $10 million over five years.

 

http://www.todaysknuckleball.com/inside-baseball-with-jon-heyman/heyman-wrong-count-indians/

[KingKat]

Geez... Just give Bautista the q.o. In the unlikely event that he accepts, you can live with it. Keeps some firepower in the lineup and doesn't impact your plans long term. He looked good down the stretch. Not crazy to think he could have a bounce back season and live up to the salary and if he doesn't well it just means you're in the same spot next year but with an extra year of data to guide your decision. And that's assuming he accepts which is pretty doubtful in the first place.

[RealAccountant]

It honestly doesn't matter who the Indians start. They aren't winning this.

[fatcowxlive]

I'm still not clear on how these concussion rules work.

Can we have a player like Tepera on the roster and simply replace him with Liriano when the 7 days are up without losing Tepera for the next series? That's how it should be if they want to provide incentives for resting concussed players.

 

I'm going to go on a limb and say yes, because his activation date is set for Saturday. I'm guessing we're dropping Barnes for Travis for the roster but keeping Tepera for Friday, then when we activate Liriano and can choose a player to drop to replace him. If that isn't possible then I don't see how this is different than forcing Liriano to skip the ALCS. Maybe they force us to tell the commish office who we want to drop when we activate Liriano when we hand in the rosters or keeping an empty roster spot (going in with 24 men). But it would make less sense imo

[Boxcar]

 

Lol I love how good Bauer is at trolling Blue Jays fans.

[KingKat]

I'm going to go on a limb and say yes, because his activation date is set for Saturday. I'm guessing we're dropping Barnes for Travis for the roster but keeping Tepera for Friday, then when we activate Liriano and can choose a player to drop to replace him. If that isn't possible then I don't see how this is different than forcing Liriano to skip the ALCS. Maybe they force us to tell the commish office who we want to drop when we activate Liriano when we hand in the rosters or keeping an empty roster spot (going in with 24 men). But it would make less sense imo

 

I think it would make sense to roster Goins as an extra infielder for two days as extra Travis coverage and then determine whether to drop Goins or a reliever when Liriano comes back based on how Travis is doing. Maybe a bit shitfty but within the rules.

[HERPDERP]

its so hard to make a retort against the Indians because then you get labeled for being a racist

[CBlake]

f*** this Cleveland baseball team, they are going down !!!

[Dr. Dinger]

I think it would make sense to roster Goins as an extra infielder for two days as extra Travis coverage and then determine whether to drop Goins or a reliever when Liriano comes back based on how Travis is doing. Maybe a bit shitfty but within the rules.

 

Yeah, not being able to pinch hit for Barney is pretty bad.

[Pendleton]

Geez... Just give Bautista the q.o. In the unlikely event that he accepts, you can live with it. Keeps some firepower in the lineup and doesn't impact your plans long term. He looked good down the stretch. Not crazy to think he could have a bounce back season and live up to the salary and if he doesn't well it just means you're in the same spot next year but with an extra year of data to guide your decision. And that's assuming he accepts which is pretty doubtful in the first place.

 

100% agreed. Qualify him and see where the season goes, or maybe someone more hungry for a RH bat offers a multi year deal and we get a pick out of it.

[KingKat]

Yeah, not being able to pinch hit for Barney is pretty bad.

 

I don't mind the way Barney handles the stick. He's not that much worse than most pinch hitting options and he's a lot better than Navarro which you know is who Gibby would want to use. I'm more concerned about the defensive clusterf*** if something happens to Barney and Travis isn't available.

[Grant77]

I think it would make sense to roster Goins as an extra infielder for two days as extra Travis coverage and then determine whether to drop Goins or a reliever when Liriano comes back based on how Travis is doing. Maybe a bit shitfty but within the rules.

 

I'd be surprised if the 'pitcher for pitcher' and 'hitter for hitter' rules didn't still apply for these substitutions.

[KingKat]

I'd be surprised if the 'pitcher for pitcher' and 'hitter for hitter' rules didn't still apply for these substitutions.

 

I wasn't familiar with those rules though it makes sense. My scenario goes against the spirit of the rule (I'd still do it if was allowed though which I guess is why it's good that there's a rule).

[Sammy225]

Lol I love how good Bauer is at trolling Blue Jays fans.

 

I respect him for that. He really isn't saying anything disrespectful just getting under the skin a little bit.... And why not

[fatcowxlive]

I think it would make sense to roster Goins as an extra infielder for two days as extra Travis coverage and then determine whether to drop Goins or a reliever when Liriano comes back based on how Travis is doing. Maybe a bit shitfty but within the rules.

 

True, that is a very good point. And if Travis is too hurt to play, he probably won't be better by the WS anyways, then you can shelf him and bring in a Pompey, etc. It would be cool to see that. Mind you though it's only for one day though, I think Liriano gets activated before play Saturday not activated after for Monday's game

 

I'd be surprised if the 'pitcher for pitcher' and 'hitter for hitter' rules didn't still apply for these substitutions.

 

That is another good point as well. But I've got to think that the DL rules play like normal DL rules in this case being that the activation takes place in the middle of the series, as in you have to just drop a guy from the 25 man to make space for Liriano. What you're saying is very possible though, I wouldn't be surprised if that is the case

[fatcowxlive]

Yeah, not being able to pinch hit for Barney is pretty bad.

 

Lol can we finally just drop Smoak? Since we saw Navarro possibly pinch hitting for Barney in the last inning of the ALDS game 3, can we finally just get rid of Smoak for the rest of the post season? Gibbons obviously lost faith in him, and since we're DHing Bautista (it's not like 1B is a hard position to play vs. OF or middle infield) it's not like a backup 1B is a must have. I gotta think Martin or Navarro can cover there if need be too. This way we can carry both Goins and Pompey on the roster (dropping Tepera in the process)

[Spanky99]

I'm still not clear on how these concussion rules work.

Can we have a player like Tepera on the roster and simply replace him with Liriano when the 7 days are up without losing Tepera for the next series? That's how it should be if they want to provide incentives for resting concussed players.

 

Agreed, and I believe that's how it works. It was posted several times(tweets) by fatcow himself?

[Jonovision]

Can we please invade Cleveland again??

[Spanky99]

Thats odd considering Brendan Ryan who played for them last year had maybe the worst moustache in the league last year.

 

You're allowed to have a stache, nothing below the lip or long hair.

[Governator]

Lol can we finally just drop Smoak? Since we saw Navarro possibly pinch hitting for Barney in the last inning of the ALDS game 3, can we finally just get rid of Smoak for the rest of the post season? Gibbons obviously lost faith in him, and since we're DHing Bautista (it's not like 1B is a hard position to play vs. OF or middle infield) it's not like a backup 1B is a must have. I gotta think Martin or Navarro can cover there if need be too. This way we can carry both Goins and Pompey on the roster (dropping Tepera in the process)

 

 

I'd love to drop Smoak, really would. I mean, down by a run in the 9th with Barney coming to the plate vs RHP is about the only scenario he gets in the game. Whereas I feel like there are more opportunities for Pompey to be used late in the game to replace just about anyone on base with below average speed such as Edwin/Bautista/Tulo/Navarro/etc and the difference between Smoak producing vs Barney is negligible at best right now anyway. I'd be just as comfortable with Barney bunting a runner over < 2outs vs Smoak for the hail mary bomb. Also, Bautista can be used as the back up 1B as he's played a handful of games there every year and has corner infield experience.

[fatcowxlive]

I'd love to drop Smoak, really would. I mean, down by a run in the 9th with Barney coming to the plate vs RHP is about the only scenario he gets in the game. Whereas I feel like there are more opportunities for Pompey to be used late in the game to replace just about anyone on base with below average speed such as Edwin/Bautista/Tulo/Navarro/etc and the difference between Smoak producing vs Barney is negligible at best right now anyway. I'd be just as comfortable with Barney bunting a runner over < 2outs vs Smoak for the hail mary bomb. Also, Bautista can be used as the back up 1B as he's played a handful of games there every year and has corner infield experience.

 

He doesn't anymore though!!! Not sure if you saw this, but when Martin was at the plate the camera panned over to the dugout and NAVARRO had his helmet and bat ready on the footsteps in the hole after Tulo to pinch hit for MELVIN (not even Barney!). I think Gibby has 0 faith in Smoak right now, to the point where he was going to run out Navarro in place of a corner OFer versus righty flamethrower Matt Bush

 

Literally what you and I thought was Smoak's only job has been taken by Navarro, so that leads to me asking why is he on the team anymore? Defensive sub? only one PA in the whole series

[Spanky99]

He doesn't anymore though!!! Not sure if you saw this, but when Martin was at the plate the camera panned over to the dugout and NAVARRO had his helmet and bat ready on the footsteps in the hole after Tulo to pinch hit for MELVIN (not even Barney!). I think Gibby has 0 faith in Smoak right now, to the point where he was going to run out Navarro in place of a corner OFer versus righty flamethrower Matt Bush

 

Navarro's a switch hitter, brah... your point still stands.

[Governator]

He doesn't anymore though!!! Not sure if you saw this, but when Martin was at the plate the camera panned over to the dugout and NAVARRO had his helmet and bat ready on the footsteps in the hole after Tulo to pinch hit for MELVIN (not even Barney!). I think Gibby has 0 faith in Smoak right now, to the point where he was going to run out Navarro in place of a corner OFer versus righty flamethrower Matt Bush

 

Literally what you and I thought was Smoak's only job has been taken by Navarro, so that leads to me asking why is he on the team anymore? Defensive sub? only one PA in the whole series

 

 

Yea he gets in the game when we're up 10-1 I guess lol. You're right though, he's been going to Navarro before Smoak even in September I think he was doing that.

[fatcowxlive]

Navarro's a switch hitter, brah... your point still stands.

 

I was talking about righty flamethrower Matt Bush because Gov was talking about PHing Barney vs RHP

[Spanky99]

I was talking about righty flamethrower Matt Bush because Gov was talking about PHing Barney vs RHP

 

I bolded righty, brah. lol I'm agreeing with you, I'd rather see Smoak bat over Navvy, though. Yet Navarro forces the pitcher to stay on the mound, instead of a pitching change.

[flafson]

It makes little sense having a backup 1B when we don't have a backup middle infielder...

[flafson]

Travis believes he's going to be ready for Friday, that would be a big boost if we can have him.

[West Texas Forever]

Travis believes he's going to be ready for Friday, that would be a big boost if we can have him.

 

Does anyone know how he messed his knee up? Was he running in the hotel knocking on doors and running down the halls or some s***?

[flafson]

He said he felt it during the first game against the Rangers, he has no idea what he did though. Sounds like it happened while he was on the field.

[HERPDERP]

He said he felt it during the first game against the Rangers, he has no idea what he did though. Sounds like it happened while he was on the field.

 

He actually said it was bugging him for a month, and only recently it became unbearable.

 

He must be lying at some point. Maybe he re aggravated it during the scuffle